Sporting KC v FC Dallas: Preview, Predictions, Stats and Roster Changes

Sporting KC @ FC Dallas

When: Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at 7:00 PM CT (Kickoff 7:08)

Where: Toyota Stadium

How to Watch/Stream: Bally Sports KC Plus (regionally) | Bally Sports Midwest Plus (regionally) | Bally Sports App | ESPN+ (out of market or over VPN locally)

How to Listen: Sports Radio 810 WHB | La Grande 1340 AM (Spanish)

Sporting Kansas City will be looking to rebound from a sloppy loss at home to the Seattle Sounders on Sunday but will have to do so on very short rest. When you say the 11th place team is next on the schedule, that would appear to be good news. However, when it’s FC Dallas, that’s less true as they’ve had KC’s number of late.

Before the 2-0 win in August by Kansas City, Dallas were 5-0-1 against Sporting KC in the prior six meetings. The good news for KC is that Dallas boasts the leagues second worst defense (44 goals allowed, better than only FC Cincinnati). However, the bad news is FCD aren’t too terrible at bagging goals in their own right. They’ve scored 38 this season, better than three playoff teams and even with the Sounders. If Dallas find one of those goals, all Sporting Kansas City fans know they will immediately play the ugliest form of time wasting soccer known to man.

The one positive for KC is that teams tend to come out of their bunker defense when they are at home. SKC won 2-0 over Dallas in Texas behind goals from Daniel Salloi and Alan Pulido. Salloi should be available, but Pulido’s status for Wednesday is much less certain. He rejoined team training last week, but it’ll still be short notice to find his way into the starting lineup.

Dallas’ Recent Form

FC Dallas are winless in their last five. The run got their coach sacked and their only win in the last seven weeks is against expansion side Austin FC.

• September 4th @ Real Salt Lake - 2-3 Loss
• September 11th vs. San Jose Earthquakes - 1-1 Draw
• September 14th @ New York City FC - 3-3 Draw
• September 18th @ Houston Dynamo - 2-3 Loss
• September 25th @ Vancouver Whitecaps - 0-1 Loss

Before you think that NYCFC result is decent, know that New York did pick up a red card in that game. It didn’t have much impact because it came late, but it wasn’t enough to save Luchi’s job. And NYC have not been at their best as of late.

What’s changed for Dallas since these teams last met?

The most notable change is on the bench. Head Coach Luchi Gonzalez, responsible for much for the Dallas Academy success, was relieved of his job the day after the Houston loss. Someone is going to pay him good money to come turn their academy into something spectacular. Imagine if a team like the Chicago Fire developed the talent in their area. Terrifying!

Outside of that, the transfer window had closed before these clubs has met, so no recent moves. Go to our prior preview to see the team’s other transactions this season.

IN: None

OUT: Head Coach Luchi Gonzalez

Injuries/Availability*

Sporting KC

OUT - Felipe Hernandez (personal reasons), Jaylin Lindsey (hamstring), Graham Zusi (yellow card accumulation), John Pulskamp (facial injury)

QUESTIONABLE - Alan Pulido (knee)

*This has been updated by the official injury report. Also, Zusi was originally missing as being suspended.

Dallas

OUT - Beni Redžić (ankle sprain), Johnny Nelson (back surgery), Ryan Hollingshead (foot), Matt Hedges (yellow card accumulation)

QUESTIONABLE - None

Stats

Sporting KC

GOALS: Daniel Salloi (13), Alan Pulido (8), Johnny Russell (7), Gadi Kinda (4), Gianluca Busio, Jaylin Lindsey, Khiry Shelton, Cam Duke (2), Ilie Sanchez, Felipe Hernandez, Luis Martins, Jose Mauri (1)

ASSISTS: Johnny Russell (7), Daniel Salloi, Khiry Shelton (6), Graham Zusi (4), Gianluca Busio, Gadi Kinda, Alan Pulido (3), Felipe Hernandez (2), Andreu Fontas, Luis Martins, Jaylin Lindsey, Remi Walter, Roger Espinoza (1)

Dallas

GOALS: Ricardo Pepi (12), Jader Obrian (8), Jesus Ferreira (6), Franco Jara (4), Ryan Hollingshead (2), five with one (1)

ASSISTS: Ferreira, Szabolcs Schon (6), Hollingshead (4), Pepi, Andres Ricaurte (3), Bryan Acosta, Nkosa Tafari, Justin Che, Paxton Pomykal (2), six with one (1)

Starting XI Predictions

This will have it’s own story, as always. (Update: Go check that out, it’s been written.)

Score Predictions

Sporting KC have shown themselves capable of coming back many, many times this season. However, teams like Dallas are particularly tough (read: ugly) to play against when you are behind. Two days rest and hitting the road in what look to be humid and/or rainy conditions could make for a weird game.

Then again, SKC have been better on short rest than long rest. How does that even make sense? When a second place team faces the 11th place team at a critical time in the season, the better team has to find a way. Dallas is in horrible form and I think KC will get it done, but I’m anything but confident (look how wrong that Seattle prediction was). A draw on the road is usually acceptable, but good teams — teams that win trophies — win these games. Get it done KC!

2-1 Sporting KC Win

What do you think? Predictions in the comments are welcome. Let’s chat about it.

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